DETERMINANTS OFCHILDHOODOBESITY IN CHILDREN FROM DIFFERENT SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS IN BRAZIL
METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Data from the PET-Vigilância Project (2010-11) for two regions of Vitória (Maruípe and Continental) were analyzed. Children aged 7- 10 years. Contextual variables were identified from the 2010 census. Chi-square tests and Fisher's test were used to compare proportions. The variables that were associated with the outcomes (p <0.10) were included in a bivariate logistic regression model.
RESULTS: We evaluated 589 children. The prevalence of obesity was 18,5%, and no differences were found between the regions. Associations were found between obesity and sex (p = 0.001), race/ethnicity (p = 0,057), having breakfast (p = 0.054), eating with a responsible person (p = 0.021), eating while watching television (0.095) and number of meals (p = 0.020). Significant associations were found between being male (OR = 2.05 95% CI 1.33 to 3.16), having 3 or fewer meals per day (OR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.90) and eating with a responsible person (OR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.21 to 3.04).
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of obesity among children was high, independent of the socioeconomic context and was associated with behavioral and lifestyle factors.